PIONEER EDGE NEWS SERVICE/Dehradun
The historic Jhanda Mela, originally scheduled to conclude on March 27, has been extended until March 29. This decision was made due to the losses suffered by stall owners from recent rainfall in Dehradun, which resulted in lower footfall at the event.
The Jhanda Mela commenced with the raising of the 94-foot Jhanda Ji (holy pole) at the Darbar Sahib on March 8. It was slated to end on March 27; however, the adverse weather conditions prompted the extension.
Informing this, the Mela committee officer Vijay Gulati said that the Jhanda Mela traditionally concludes on the day of Ram Nawami and this year it was planned for March 27 as well. “However, due to the recent rainfall, stall owners incurred significant losses owing to the reduced number of visitors. In the light of this, the affected stall owners expressed their concerns to the committee. After listening to their grievances, the committee approached the district administration for the extension of the Jhanda Mela. Consequently, the district administration approved the request, allowing the Mela to continue for an additional two days until March 29,” he said.
Gulati further stated that the Mela will conclude on March 29. “Thereafter, the stall owners will dismantle their shops and at the same time in collaboration with the Municipal Corporation of Dehradun, they will ensure the cleanliness of the area where the Mela was held,” he added.
“This year, a large number of devotees were noticed during the raising of the 94-foot Jhanda Ji at the Darbar Sahib, including those from Himachal Pradesh and Punjab among other States. A large number of locals’ footfall was also observed at the Mela,” Gulati added.
Notably, the Darshani Gilaf, used to adorn the Jhanda Ji this year, was contributed by Anil Kumar Goyal, a resident of Dehradun, marking the first selection of drapers in 100 years.
